President
Bill Schenk rang our historic Rotary Bell to start the meeting and welcomed us. The pledge by
Dave Slomovic, invocation by
Marty Burbank, song by
Susan Smith and
Theresa Harvey were executed faithfully.
Guests and visitors included Kevin Pedraza of Rotary South hosted by Brett Ackerman, Doris, wife of Bob Muschek, Gloria, wife of Bob Radde and Gloria, wife of Jay Kremer. Bob Muschek also welcomed our Program speaker, Sandy Lehmkuhler, as well as Mark Mays, Sharon La Haye, Bill Sawyer, David Lawhorn and Marilyn Harris.
Announcements- Lee Brocket was pleased to announce that his information says that there are only 7 new cases of polio in Pakistan!
Jim Williams reminded us of the upcoming concert and announced the sponsors to date: Dan Kiernan, Jim Williams, Bill Mathy, John Phelps, Bob Jahncke, J. Richey, Vimal Seth, Allyn Lean, Marty Burbank, Jim Blake, Scott Dowds, Susan Smith, Chuck Munson, Zoot Velasco, Kimberly Nguyen, Bill Schenk Milly Heaton. Bill McGarvey and CSUF College of the Arts, Leslie McCarthy, Joe Arnold, Bob Clark, Dave Slomovic, Joe Lins and Kim Barlow. Bob Clark is donating the white wine and we are looking for sponsors for the red wine.
Dan Kiernan thanked Dick Daybell for providing the boat trip for the RYPEN members to the Catalina District Meeting. $1200 was raised. Theresa Harvey announced the “Empty Bowls” benefit for Meals on Wheels of Fullerton on February 21 from 11-1PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church. You can enjoy delicious soups from local restaurants served in bowls donated by local artists. By the way, when you shop on Amazon you can use your normal Amazon log in at” smile.amazon.com and enter “Meals on Wheels of Fullerton” and Amazon will donate 0.5% of all qualified purchases. .
Rick Crane reminded us to sign up to help with the City Track Meet from 8 to 1Pm on Saturday March 7.
Joanne Brannock shared that a grocery store clerk she just talked to mentioned that she loves Rotary because of a scholarship she received in the past.
Sandy Hayes announced for Lynette Geiss that signup forms are on tables for us to join a Fellowship lunch.
Finemaster Joyce Capelle pointed out how important families of deployed service personell and had our veterans stand for a well-deserved round of applause. Brett Ackerman was reminded of his anniversary; Bill Hite celebrates 68 years, Scott Dowds was recognized for Jane’s birthday. Jim Williams was fined $1.00 per toe (on one foot) for a picture of feet using a Santa Barbara beach as a back drop. (I suspect that Sally took the picture!).
Bob Jahncke’s Beth won a Jaguar car for a weekend and let Bob ride along!
Kim Barlow announced that her daughter became engaged last Saturday!
Bill Goetsch pointed out that his birthday was not announced last week for which Joe Lins nobly took responsibility for, blaming Prez. Bill Schenk for rushing him.
Opportunity Drawing- Jay Kremer barely missed picking the blue chip so didn’t get to win the prize.
Program- Bob Muschek Introduced our speaker, Sandy Lehmkuhler, director of the Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station (WFFS) an organization that assists our military men and women with their transition from form military life to civilian life. Sandy first realization of the need that exists was in 2004 when she first visited Balboa Hospital in San Diego. She realized the simple need for an electric razor for one handed returning servicemen. She wrote to a local radio show and ended up on the air, raising $68,000. As of 2015, they have raised $11 million and are rightfully proud to say that 96% goes to the veterans.
Freedom Station is lodging cottages near the hospital that provide a less regimented living arrangement to help partially simulate civilian life.
WFFS is a 100% voluntary group that helps returning veterans who have physical injuries, post-traumatic stress issues, those in rehabilitation and those who have been medically retired.
When the injured service person arrived by ambulance, WFFS flies the family to greet him or her at the hospital and provides the family one month stay at hotels for the first month. WFFS provides a wide range of quality of life items and services to provide comfort, like ultra sight wheelchairs,, I Pads, laptops, voice recorders, access to a computer café, kitchen and golf carts at the hospital.
At Thanksgiving, the residents are given a postcard telling them that they will get to travel home for Christmas.
WFFS provides comfort, helps the veteran realize that their situation is not their fault and that others understands what they have gone through. They help the veteran get into a local Jr. College. This helps reduce the symptoms of PTSD.
There are plans for more “Legacy” cottages and WFFS services are spreading around the country! Check out their website, for more information! www.warriorfoundation.org
